120 
OPERATIONS FOR JUNE. 
highly beneficial to have a framework of laths over them, upon which a mat can be thrown in 
sunny weather. 
Many greenhouse plants, and we may say especially Indian Azaleas, are managed better at 
this time in pits and frames, — at least those that have finished flowering. They make better 
growth, and also show the propriety of the treatment in the beautiful deep green which the leaves 
attain. The same may be said of several soft-wooded stove-plants, only they need to be less 
freely ventilated. 
Conservatories and greenhouses will require a greater admission of external air now, or the 
plants will be drawn out too much. The practice of shutting them up entirely whilst the sun 
shines upon them, is decidedly bad. A little air may now be left on all night safely. With 
regard to the humidity of the atmosphere, it should be constantly maintained, by throwing water 
on the paths and shelves two or three times daily, and by syringing towards the evening of every 
clear day. Water the borders inside the houses copiously, whenever they require it ; when they 
are only scantily supplied, it does not sink deep enough to be serviceable to the principal roots 
of the plants. Shade is quite essential at this season to prevent the tender young plants from 
being scorched. 
During this and the three succeeding months, the cooler houses may be made the receptacles 
for a large number of orchidaceous plants in flower. Most of the showy Dendrobiums, Maxil- 
larias, and Oncidiums, will be benefited by it : some of them acquire a deeper tint in their 
flowers, and all last for a longer period. It must be remembered, however, that strict care must 
be taken in syringing the house that no water falls upon their flowers, otherwise their beauty is 
defaced directly ; neither can they bear to be watered at the root with the liberality they 
demand in a higher temperature. 
In the stove and general orchidaceous house, most of the plants will be forming their fresh 
growths rapidly ; but as these will be in various stages of development, they must not all be 
treated exactly alike, or indiscriminately. One end of most houses is a little warmer than the 
other ; and it is easy, by adjusting the shades, to admit more light where it is wanted. Hence 
by repeatedly examining the specimens, and removing those furthest advanced to a place where 
they may enjoy more light and a cooler atmosphere, the additional formations will be better and 
more gradually matured. Besides this, some species naturally require more heat, and some bear 
more light than others. Plants on blocks require water oftener than those in pots and baskets. 
They may be syringed twice a day when there is a dryiug external air. 
The operations of potting and re-potting will be continually becoming necessary amongst a 
large collection of plants ; but with a great number of those that are excessively disposed to 
luxuriance, and ought to bloom in the after-part of summer, it will scarcely be prudent to shift 
after the present month : at the same time, the culturist who does not desire bloom till the 
autumn, may delay its development by giving more pot-room to promote growth. 
Now, is a good time to propagate many kinds of greenhouse and stove plants, in order to 
procure tolerable-sized plants before winter. Cuttings of the common kinds of Pansies may be 
put in towards the end of the month to provide plants for the flower-beds next spring. These, 
as well as several greenhouse plants, merely require to be planted in a fine sandy peat-soil, and 
covered with hand-glasses, observing to obtain a site behind a north wall, or otherwise protected 
from the sun. Anemones and other tubers, and bulbs that have done flowering, should be 
removed from the flower-garden ; and if not sufficiently ripened, they ought to be carefully taken 
up with all the earth that will adhere to their fibres, and transplanted to a shady spot in the 
reserve-ground, or kitchen-garden ; by this means they will be little injured, and the beds may be 
refilled with other plants. 
Too much attention cannot be devoted to all those little things upon the observance of which 
so much of the success and good keeping of the whole depends. Under this head we include 
weeding, hoeing, raking, sweeping walks, clipping grass-edgings, staking and training all kinds 
of plants that need support, spreading the new shoots of plants equally over the flower-beds and 
pegging them down, removing dead leaves and decayed flower-stalks and petals, destroying 
insects, keeping the exterior surface of pots clean, and the top of the soil clear of moss and dirt, 
together with many other minor jobs essential to neatness. 
